Originally Posted by
dilanesp
I have never understood why USCBP and the TSA buy into this stuff.
Obviously there are VIP's who need to be screened separately for security reasons, but "you are rich so you get to buy your way out of standing in lines", with the money going to a private company (not the government), seems to me as if it just got enacted without anyone even thinking whether the government should be involved in this sort of thing.
Among other things, it makes it more likely that the government will impose onerous and invasive procedures for ordinary travelers if rich people are exempted.
Many countries' major international airports provide similar services where it makes economic sense (e.g., London, Munich, Singapore, etc.).
I bet TSA loves this in LAX, because celebrities in airports are often disruptive due to crowds, pictures, etc., and that sort of distraction can be dangerous in a security situation.